Summary
I’ve been passionate about technology for as long as I can remember, and it’s fascinating to see how much my perspective has changed over the years. There was a time when every new product launch felt exciting, and I was always eager to discover the next “latest and greatest” innovation.
Today, however, flagship technology rarely captures my attention. While impressive specifications can still be interesting, the growing influence of corporate ecosystems—and the fact that many modern devices simply offer more than most people actually need—has changed how I view the industry.
Instead, I’ve found myself drawn to niche and unconventional products. They’re where technology feels genuinely innovative and enjoyable, and fortunately, there are still plenty of projects and devices that fit that description.
E Ink Monitors Are More Appealing Than OLED Displays
High Refresh Rates No Longer Matter to Me
When it comes to traditional monitors, I believe display technology has reached a point where improvements provide diminishing real-world benefits.
OLED panels continue to become faster, sharper, and more common, offering incredibly high refresh rates, near-instant response times, and stunning image quality. They’re undeniably impressive, but they simply don’t excite me anymore.
What has captured my attention instead is E Ink technology and the different ways it can be used.
I’ve always appreciated E Ink displays in note-taking devices such as reMarkable and Boox, but after trying a portable E Ink monitor for my PC, I realized how much I enjoyed the experience. While it isn’t the most advanced ePaper display available, I’d much rather pair my laptop with an E Ink screen than another OLED or LCD monitor.
Of course, ePaper displays come with slower refresh rates and aren’t suitable for color-accurate work or highly detailed images. For my workflow, though, those limitations don’t matter.
Most of my time is spent writing, and I’d rather use a display that’s easier on my eyes than stare at another bright screen all day. E Ink delivers exactly that.
There’s also something uniquely satisfying about watching an E Ink display render increasingly complex images. Seeing how closely the technology can replicate a traditional screen experience is genuinely fascinating.
Another major advantage is power efficiency. I love the idea of a display that can hold an image indefinitely without consuming additional power.
Fairphone Is My Favorite Smartphone
A Different Philosophy Than Every Other Manufacturer
For nearly three years, my daily phone has been the Fairphone 5, which I purchased on launch day in September 2023.
I paid more than $700 for a device powered by a Qualcomm QCM6490 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a Full HD+ OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The cameras, however, are fairly average.
The processor itself is probably unfamiliar to many people because it was originally designed for enterprise devices rather than consumer smartphones.
Fairphone intentionally selected this chipset because enterprise-focused Qualcomm processors typically receive longer software support, making it possible to provide operating system updates for many more years.
That’s one of the biggest reasons the Fairphone 5 remains my favorite smartphone.
The company built it with longevity as its core philosophy—not only through long-term software support but also through hardware designed for easy repairs.
Like every Fairphone device, the Fairphone 5 is highly repairable.
Even today, I can visit Fairphone’s website and purchase replacement parts, including the display, battery, USB-C port, individual camera modules, loudspeaker, earpiece, and more. Every component is designed to be replaced at home using nothing more than a Philips PH00 screwdriver.
Beyond repairability, Fairphone places a strong emphasis on ethical manufacturing.
The higher price isn’t simply paying for specifications. According to Fairphone, it also supports initiatives such as the Living Wage Bonus program, improved working conditions throughout its supply chain, and efforts to reduce carbon emissions during production.
Modern flagship smartphones already offer more performance than most people will ever need.
If I’m spending that much money on a phone, I’d rather support a company focused on sustainability, repairability, and ethical manufacturing than simply buy the most powerful hardware available.
My Fairphone 5 still performs everything I need with ease, and when the battery eventually degrades, I’ll simply replace it and continue using the phone for several more years.
Framework Brings the Same Philosophy to Laptops
My Top Choice for My Next Computer
Just as Fairphone has redefined smartphone repairability, Framework is doing something similar in the laptop market—while taking modularity even further.
Framework laptops are designed around replaceable components, allowing users to repair, upgrade, and customize their systems over time.
Unlike Fairphone, which primarily emphasizes repairability, Framework also focuses heavily on future upgrades.
Someone who purchased the original Framework Laptop in 2021 can still upgrade it today with the latest Intel Core Ultra processors—or switch to an AMD motherboard instead.
The product lineup has expanded to include multiple screen sizes, including a 12-inch convertible, but the company’s philosophy remains unchanged.
Instead of replacing the entire laptop, users can simply upgrade individual components.
The motherboard, processor, RAM, storage, display, keyboard, ports, and numerous other parts are all modular and user-replaceable.
The Framework Laptop 16 even supports a removable GPU expansion module for gaming or demanding professional workloads.
Because I regularly test computers as part of my job, I haven’t needed to buy a personal laptop in several years.
However, if I were shopping for one today, Framework would undoubtedly be my first choice.
I also appreciate that the company offers Linux as a factory-installed operating system.
Self-Hosting Gives Me More Freedom Than Cloud Services
Taking Back Control of My Data
Only last year did I begin exploring the world of self-hosting and NAS systems.
Among technology enthusiasts, these may not seem particularly unusual, but compared to mainstream consumer technology, they remain relatively niche.
Most people naturally choose services that are inexpensive upfront and easy to use, which explains the popularity of subscription-based cloud platforms.
Since setting up my NAS, however, I’ve come to appreciate the value of owning and controlling my own data.
I use Immich to manage my photo library and Nextcloud to store documents.
One of my favorite features is integrating Nextcloud with OnlyOffice, allowing me to edit documents directly in a web browser without installing additional software.
Those are just the beginning.
I also use Vaultwarden as my preferred way to run Bitwarden, Jellyfin to stream my personal movie collection after converting physical discs, and even a self-hosted browser dashboard.
Building and maintaining these projects has been incredibly rewarding.
As someone still relatively new to self-hosting, there’s a genuine sense of accomplishment every time everything works exactly as intended.
The same philosophy extends to Linux.
As a desktop operating system, I now find Linux much more interesting than Windows.
The level of customization, flexibility, and user control is something Windows 11 simply doesn’t offer, and I rarely choose Windows unless it’s absolutely necessary.
It’s refreshing to use technology that feels designed to serve me rather than constantly encourage additional purchases.
Modern Technology Could Benefit from a Fresh Perspective
I may sound like someone nostalgic for older technology, but many of today’s mainstream products simply don’t generate the same excitement they once did.
The technologies I’ve already adopted—or hope to adopt—reflect that shift in perspective.
I’ve even found myself looking back at devices like the classic iPod and dedicated music players, wondering whether they might actually offer a more enjoyable way to listen to music.
Recently, I purchased wired earbuds for the first time in years to use with my Nintendo Switch and my computer. I’m also considering buying a USB-C adapter for my phone because Bluetooth tends to test my patience more often than I’d like.
It’s these small and large experiences alike that have gradually changed the way I view modern consumer technology.
And judging by conversations with other enthusiasts, I’m certainly not the only one who feels this way.